The Fairfield County Soil and Water Conservation District offers two $500 scholarships each year. The link to their application is http://www.fairfieldswcd.org/Attachments/FSWCD%20Scholarship%20fact%20sheet%20&%20application%20updated%202016%20fillable.pdf
Their application is due back to their office (831 College Ave, Suite B) March 31 of the current year.
The Lancaster-Fairfield Community Action Agency (LFCAA) and Fun Bus Adventures are collecting non-perishable food donations to fill a shuttle bus. The donations will be made available to income-eligible individuals who visit the LFCAA Choice Food Pantry.
In our building (Fairfield County Ag Center), the Soil & Water Conservation District office in Suite B has a collection box for anyone who wants to donate non-perishable food donations. If you want to participate, please make your donations to the SWCD collection box by December 7th.
The Ohio State Fair requires all market beef entered in the 2017 Ohio State Fair to have individual DNA samples taken from each animal that may potentially be entered. These DNA samples must be in the possession of the Ohio State Fair by January 15, 2017.
Click here for a document containing sample collection instructions: final-dna-sample-collection-instructions-2017. Those of you who are not familiar with last year’s procedures may have several questions, but hopefully by having these instructions now will give you a heads up on the requirements. Therefore, please read the attached instructions that will be a part of each sample collection kit and contact Stacey French, Agricultural Department at the Ohio State Fair, if you have any questions. Stacey’s phone number is 614.644.4049 and email is s.french@expo.state.oh.us.
DNA sample collection kits may be picked up either by 4-H professionals, FFA advisors, or the actual individual directly from Stacey French on the OSF fairgrounds. Prior to submission, the nomination envelope for each sample kit remitted must be signed by either the 4-H professional or FFA advisor, depending in which organization the youth is taking the market animal(s).
Also note that those showing at any of the BEST sanctioned shows must have EID tags in their calves prior to the first show in which they exhibit. BEST shows prior to the January 15 deadline to submit samples to OSF include: Heart of It All, November 26-27, Lima; AGR Holiday Classic, December 10-11, Columbus; and Scarlet & Gray Midwest Showdown, January 7-8, Columbus.
13 Fairfield County past and current 4-H members attended the Carving New Ideas Workshop at Camp Ohio this past weekend. Carving New Ideas is a camping opportunity for older youth, concentrating on the principles of critical thinking and program facilitation. The focus of CNI this year was on diversity.
Fairfield County youth who attended as counselors and campers to CNI include: Megan Metzger, Lauren Young, Maddie Shaffer, Hayley Richardson, Connor Martney, Corinne Somers, Emily Blackwell, Augusta Kilbarger, Kamala Sweeney, Rachel Salyers, Grant Molnar, Morgan Kaper, and Derek Burns.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has 4-year scholarships available for students interested in Science, Agriculture, Math and Engineering. A 3.0 or above is required along with school transcripts and acceptance to Central State University. Must be a US citizen. The scholarships cover complete tuition and fees for the four years and will provide candidates opportunities for paid internships during the summer months. Please contact Isabel Brumley for more information at (202) 596-0140 or by email at isabel.brumley@osec.usda.gov.
Please encourage those youth who are high school seniors or collegiate-level FFA members to visit ffa.org/participate/scholarships to apply for thousands of dollars in collegiate scholarships. Their chapter may have been selected by a local dealer to receive one or more scholarships. Click here to view dealer sponsorships by chapter.
The 2016 Buckeye Shepherd’s Symposium Program will be held Friday, December 9 & Saturday, December 10, 2016 at the OARDC Fisher Auditorium & Shisler Conference Center ~ 1680 Madison Avenue, Wooster, Ohio 44691. Click here for a schedule: bss-schedule and registration form: bss-registration-form
Sponsored by The Ohio State University Animal Sciences Department, Ohio Sheep Improvement Association and the Ohio Sheep and Wool Program, LAMB 509 is a 2-day short course designed to address several factors associated with producing consistent, high quality, wholesome lamb at the farm, packing-plant and retail levels. This is a hands-on program that will enhance your understanding of quality attributes that affect consumer acceptability and ultimately consumer demand of lamb products.
This program will provide necessary information and enhance your understanding of meat quality and marketing, enabling you to make informed decisions that will ultimately affect the profitability, competitiveness and wholesomeness of the food products you are producing.
The program is being held December 13-14, 2016 at the Animal Sciences Building on the Ohio State University Columbus Campus. A maximum of 32 spaces will be available on a first-come first-served basis.
Registration fee for LAMB 509 is $125/participant. This fee covers all meals, materials and parking arrangements. This program is the result of a partnership with the Ohio Sheep and Wool Program, the Ohio Sheep Improvement Association, The Ohio State University Extension and The Ohio State University Department of Animal Sciences.
For more information and a copy of the registration form, click here: lamb-509-registration-2016
The Lancaster Tri-County Rabbit & Cavy Fanciers will host their Double Fall Show at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds on Sunday, November 20, 2016. For more information, please view this flyer: lancaster-tri-county-rabbit-cavy-fanciers-show
Ohio Corn & Wheat student membership is now being sponsored by Beck’s! This is an excellent opportunity for students! Being a part of the New Crop would be an excellent addition for student’s FFA or 4-H experience. Here are some of the many opportunities and value we can offer to FFA and 4-H members (Scholarships, Professional Development, Travel opportunities, Leadership Training, Networking opportunities, and Up to Date information of the industry). We are currently recruiting for New Crop Class II, this means students that have not been members before can join at no cost. First time members can sign up at https://goo.gl/forms/SoGyMMYty5zkKHXv1. If you have any questions, contact Ellen Gilliland at egilliland@ohiocornandwheat.org.